Only one commissioner, Carolyn Johnson, voted against the measure, which appropriates $1 million. The amount will cover $627,500 for design fees and $362,500 for contingencies, according to a document contained in the agenda packet.

The money will be transferred from the Public School Construction Fund and is part of $1.2 million in seed money to get the project started.

County Finance Officer Mary Duncan said she would like to see the Roanoke Rapids Graded District first use $200,000 in state lottery funds, which with the $1 million allocation, makes up the total $1.2 million available for design fees.

Johnson, in casting her vote against the ordinance, said, “I'm just not comfortable when looking at the contingencies and design fees.”

When asked by board Chair Vernon Bryant to elaborate, Johnson said, “It's nothing different than what's been discussed before.”

Johnson has contended in previous meetings a new school can be built for less than the agreed-upon $19.2 million.

Duncan, far right, with the finance staff.

In other news today, the Government Finance Officers Association presented Duncan and her staff with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

It is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

“We have a great staff,” Duncan said. “Everyone works together.”

“They work to get the job done,” County Manager Tony Brown said. “They're not clock watchers. Their only job is to do the right thing.”